Method of harvesting cucumbers



D. G. GREW 2,903,839

METHOD OF HARVESTING CUCUMBERS Sept. 15, 1959 Original Filed July 25, 1955 ll Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVEN TOR.

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H/Qs ATTORNEYS United States Patent 2,903,839 METHOD oi? HARVESTING CUCUMBERS Dolphis Grew, Saginaw-Web.

Original application July 25, 1955, Serial No. 524,258,

now Patent 7N0. 2,841,947, dated July 8,- K1958. Divided' and this application November 13, 1957, Serial No. 696,183

14" Claims. o1. 56-327) This application is a division of my co-pending application Serial No. 524,258, now Patent 2,841,947, filed July 25; 195-5.

This invention relates to the mechanized harvesting of cucumbers from growing vines whileleaving the vines in good condition to produce and yieldadditional cucumbers, and is for a method of picking the cucumbersof usable size from thevinesfrom time" to* time as growing conditions mayrequire.

A primary object of my inventionis to-provide a harvesting machine adapted to be driven through the fields of growing vines, and by a-novel method and apparatus; engage the vines,.remove and collect the usable fruitsof assorted sizes, andreplace the vines onthe ground with out destruction ofthe vines, blossoms, or freshly set cucumbers of a size too small tobe gathered. V

A further object of my invention is to provide such-a harvesting machine and method which will operate-with an efficiency at least comparable to or better than the eificiency of the transient hand labor availablefor the same purpose;

Another objectof the inventionis to provide a method of mechanically removing cucumbers from a" growing vine throughout the growing season without destruction of the vine.

Another object of the invention is to provide an'ap'paratus of the character described which removes the cucumbers from the growing vines while being driven through a field of such vines.

Another object of the inventionis toprovide-an appara-tus which during movement throughafield of growing vines, raises the vine from the ground withoubdamage to the roots thereof, severs the cucumbers from the vine, collects the severed cucumbers and returns the vineto the ground for further growingand production of cucumbers.

A further object ofthe invention is-toprovide arrapparatus of the character described which is selective as to the size of cucumbers whichare severed-from the growing vine.

These and other objectsof the invention: will be'made apparent as the descriptionproceeds.

During the relatively short growing season, the cucumber vines in a field have' fruits in a wide range of'sizes and in various stages of development. The usable sizes for commercialpickling purposes range from the smallest gherkins preferably about diameter and 1 /8" in length. The smaller fruits demand a higher price, while cucumbers above the maximum size above indicated are normally in'little demand and should be removed from the vines because the fruit is then'ripening and robbing the vine of' vigor and productiveness. In good growing weather the fruit may develop from the minimum usable size above stated tothe maximum'sizei'u" from 40'to 70 hours.

At the present time" imported-transient labor; which is in scarce supply, must be relied upon-for harvesting'tlie ice cucumbers. This is not only unreliable and expensive, butitis hard, hot, laborious toil, and since a large grower can-scarcely cover the field every forty hours, much fruit will be lost by overdevelopment, especially since the average laborer will miss much' of the small fruit because of the leaf growthand the difiiculty of seeing the smaller cucumbers.

Cucumber vines are fragile and easily broken and it was long considered that they should not be disturbed very much-lest they stop bearing. 1 have discovered that contrary togen'eral belief, the vines, if properly handled, may be lifted from the ground if the roots be not dis turbed, fruits of usable size removed, and the vine placed bacle on the ground, and its yield will not be seriously impaired, even if the leaves in some cases must reorient themselves when the vine is replaced. My invention therefore contemplates such manipulation of the vines.

Not only must the vines be properly handled, but the stern attaching the fruit to the vine is relatively stronger and l'ess'brittle than the vine, so that an axial pull is likely to damage the vine before the fruit is detached. A' force applied at right a'nglesto the length of the cucumber will more effectively remove it, and my invention is designed to apply such force, but substantially avoid the breaking or bruising of the fruit.

Also the leaves offer interference to the separation of the fruit from the vine, and yet the vine must be handled in such manner as'to impair or damagethe leaves as little as possible. My invention provides for the effective shaking of detached fruits out of the mass of leaves and vines.

After much experimentation, I have found that the most efficient method of mechanically picking cucumbers of assorted sizes is to raise the growing end of the vine from the ground, detach the fruits from the vine, and return the vine to the ground for further growth and production. The vines normally grow to lengths of 4 to 6 feet, and unless cultivated will so intermingle on the ground that they cannot be lifted without considerable damage. To overcome this, I have found it desirable to' plant the vines in spaced rows about 6'6" apart and to space the vines in a row so that they can be trained to grow without densely intermingling. Mechanical training of the growing vines may be resorted to when they reach a length of 2 to 3 feet to encourage straight line growth. Preferably a combing operation is used and such mechanical combing is preferably limited to'one such handling of the vines. I have also found it desirable to divide a field lengthwise and train the spaced rows of vines in one half of the field to grow in one direction and the vines in the other half of the field to grow'in the opposite direction. The vines may be disced to prevent overlapping of the rows. This permits picking the cucumbers by running the machine down one side of the field and then turning the machine and running the machine down the opposite side of the field in the opposite direction.

During'trials of the machine it has been observed that the younger vines and their leaves are more brittle than they are at the middle of the growing season. It has also been observed that when the vines are covered with dew at the-beginning of the work day, or When the vines are covered with moisture as from rains, a different handling action is required than when the vines are dry. In the present embodiment of the invention the vine handling portions of the apparatus are readily adjustable to compensatefor the varying conditions of the vines.

Inthe'drawings forming part of this disclosure:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of the harvester;

Figure 2} shows a side elevation of the harvester lfi. picking position;

Figure 3 shows an end elevation taken on lines IIIIII of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the sub-structure of the harvester providing support for the picking and collecting mechanism;

Figure shows a section through the sub-structure taken on lines V-V of Figure 4 illustrating the manner of raising the harvester from picking position to permit turning or transporting thereof;

Figure 6 shows an enlarged section through the harvester on lines VIVI of Figure 1 illustrating the relation between the vine lifting and shaking mechanisms;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view showing support of the secondary rolls from the substructure of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the drive for the vine lifting rolls;

Figure 9 shows relation and support of the rear conveyor and vine shaker upon the vine secondary lifting rolls;

Figure shows an enlarged view of the vine lifting and stem severing mechanism;

Figure 11 shows an enlarged plan view of the rear conveyor and vine shaker;

' so that the progressive picking up of the vines, picking of the cucumbers, straightening of the vines, and laying them back down does not uproot the vines or break them.

These mechanisms will be hereinafter described in this order, except that to some extent they are mutually in volved with one another.

The traction unit nism may be provided.

Fignlre 12 shows a side elevation of the rear conveyor and vine shaker shown in Figure 11;

Figure 13 shows a cross-section through the vine shaker and rear conveyor taken on the line XIII-XIII of Figure 11.

Figure 14 is an enlarged Cross Section 011 lines suitably secured to the member 8 and bearing upon the XIV-XIV of Figure 11 showing the drive for the vine take-away rolls;

Figure 15 is a cross section taken on the line XVXV of Figure 11 showing an end view of the supporting bracket for the vine take-away rolls and bearing for the vine shaker spirals;

Figure 16 is a schematic arrangement of the drive for the vine shaker;

Figure 17 shows an elevational view with parts broken away and shown in section of the belt tightener for the side conveyor drive;

Figure 18 shows a section taken on lines XVIIIXVIII of Figure 17;

Figure 19 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the side conveyor and feed into the elevator boots;

Figure 20 shows a proposed vine planting plan; and

Figure 21 shows a modification of the vine pick-up rolls and cucumber stem severing mechanisms.

The machine contemplated by my invention comprises a supporting vehicle, such as a more or less conventional farm tractor which may not only propel itself but provide power for operating the picking machine. A subframe attached to the vehicle provides a support for the various picking, vine handling and cucumber conveying and collecting elements of the machine. The vine lifting and picking mechanism comprises a cluster of rolls or roll guided elements, such as belts which are open at one end and inclined upwardly from the open end. The growing vines are first engaged near the root ends by this roll The sub-structure The sub-structure comprises the member 2 which may be a standard pipe section having the plates 3 secured to the upper surface thereof as by welding and mounted on the tractor frame members 4 by means of the U-bolts 5 and nuts 6 as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Suitably secured to one end of the member 2 is a split clamp 7 for receiving the stem member 8 which is adjustably mounted in the split clamp and provided with a safety collar 9 upper end of the split clamp 7. The split clamp is secured to the member 8 by means of the clamping bolts 10. At the bottom of the stem member 8 is secured a sleeve member 11 through which extends a shaft 12 for rotary movement therein. A collar 13 on the shaft 12 limits longitudinal movement between the shaft and sleeve in one direction and a collar 14 mounted on the opposite end of the sleeve acts through washer members 15 mounted on the shaft and a cotter pin 16 to limit relative longitudinal movement between the shaft and sleeve in the cluster, or roll and belt cluster, and elevated, the lifting progressing toward the free end of the vine due to the inclination of the cluster of picking rolls or roll-like elements upwardly from the open end. After the vine is elevated it is carried in an inclined position toward the rear of the vehicle. Since the fruit which is large enough to pick may be moving vertically while the vine is moving rearw-ardly, the stem is tensioned at right angles to the fruit and the fruit detached from the vine. A further element of the machine is a vine shaking and arranging conveyor which straightens the vines out transverse to the direction of travel of the vehicle to be laid back on the ground while the shaking dislodges picked cucumbers that may be enmeshed in the vines. A conveyor system collects the plucked fruit and delivers it to a bin or hopper on the machine, while a power drive co-relates all of opposite direction. Preferably an Alemite fitting 17 extends through the sleeve 11 providing lubricant to the shaft rotating within the sleeve. At one end of the shaft 12 and secured thereto by any suitable means as by welding, is a split clamp 18 through which extends the main cross member 19 which may also be a pipe or any other suitable structural member, and is preferably located at the center line of the transmission unit 20 for driving the picking mechanism and cucumber conveyors. The clamp 18 connecting the member 19 with the shaft 12 is provided with suitable bolts 21 for securing the clamp to the member 19 and permits adjustment of the member 19 transversely of the tractor so as to balance the mechanism hereinafter described and mounted on the sub-structure. Beneath one end of the member 19 is a member 22 extending longitudinally of the harvester providing support for the outer end of the primary roll and the front conveyor. This member 22 may comprise a structural channel having its web suitably secured to the member 19 as by welding and having the collars 23 and 24 at opposite sides of the member 22 mounted on the transverse member 19 and securing the channel and pipe together in any suitable manner as by welding. Outwardly of the adjacent end of the transverse member 19 is mounted sheath member 25 through which extends the shaft 26 and is secured in position by means of the U-bolt 27 having nuts 28 connecting it to the adjacent member 23. The lower end of the shaft 26 is deflected outwardly and has mounted thereon the wheel 29 suitably secured in position by nut 30. Mounted beneath the member 19 intermediate the ends thereof and secured thereto as by welding is the member 31 extending longitudinally of the harvester and providing a support for the ends of the primary and secondary rolls. At the outer end of the member 19, disposed beneath the same and extending longitudinally of the harvester, is a channel mcrn ber 32 secured to the member 19 as by welding andreinforced by the member'33 welded to the members 19 and 32.

The sub-structure member 19 and associated members 22, 31 and 32 may be pivoted about member. 12 to lower the primary and secondary rolls into picking position, or to raise them above the ground when the tractor is. turning. or moving between fields. This. raising and lowering is accomplished by means of the device indicated generally by reference character 225. This device comprises an operating lever 226 pivotally mounted at one end 227 to tractor frame member 4 and connected by link 228 to lever 229 mounted on the member 4 by bracket 230. The lower end of lever 229' hasa link 231 connected thereto and to clevis 232 which in turn is connected by strap 233 to member 19. When lever 226 is pulled back or pushed-forward, as shown in Figure 3',v it acts to raise substructure member 19 and associated rolls.

Vine lifting and. picking mechanism The vine lifting and cucumber picking mechanism, Figures 6 to inclusive,. is comprised of'a cluster of cooperating elements, one or all of which may be rolls or belts guided over rollers, and which function much as did circular rolls used by me in my original experiments, but which in the case of belts provide greater area of contact with the vine, Therefore, whether such elements are rolls in a specific sense, or belts moving over rollers, I shall designate these elements as rolls. This cluster of rolls is comprised of a primary roll 3435, the axis of which extends crosswise of the direction of travel of the tractor and is inclined. The primary roll is a cylindrical member having a shaft 34 enclosed by a thick, soft rubber coating 35 which may advantageously be made from foam rubber. This primary roll is suspended from the substructure members 22 and 31 by means of the hangers 36 which are provided with threaded end portions 37 engaging within the slotted openings 38 of the sub-structure members 22 and 31 so as to be adjustable relative thereto. When the primary roll is positioned as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the lower end of the roll adjacent the root line is spaced from /2" to 2." from the ground for the purpose hereinafter set forth. The lower end of each hanger 36 is provided with a circular portion 39 engaging the shaft 34, and is preferably provided with a roller bearing upon which the shaft turns.

Mounted rearwardly of the primary roll with respect to forward movement of the harvester and forming part ofthe roll cluster, are vertically spaced secondary rolls hereinafter referred to as upper and lower secondary rolls, and which are in vertically opposed relation to one another, and which are in confronting relation to the rear surface of. the primary roll,.being sloped crosswise of the machine at the same angle as the primary roll. Each secondary roll is here shown as a belt passingover supporting rollers so that in transverse section each is substantially a rectangle comprising a relatively thick rubber continuous outer cover or belt 40 moving about the cylindrical roller 41 at one sideof the roll, and about the three triangularly arranged rollers 42a, 42b, and 420, at the opposite side of the roll. The rubber coveringof the secondary rolls is preferably not as soft as that of the primary roll. As shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, the lower face of each secondary roll is preferably substantially horizontal, and the upper face of the secondary roll preferably slopes downwardly in a direction rearwardly of the harvester so that each secondary roll presents a substantially vertical face adjacent the primary roll and the opening between the upper and lower secondary rolls increases from the front to the rear of the secondary rolls.

The secondary roll assembly extends transversely of the harvester substantially parallel to the primary roll. The respective upper and lower secondary rolls are mounted upon supporting members of substantially the same length disposed transversely of the harvester in substantially 6 parallel relation with the primary roll and may comprise the T-bars 46 and 47 The inner end of the T-bar 46 is adjustably mounted upon the sub-assembly member 43 depending from the member 31 by means of bolts 48 ex tending through openings in the T-bar and a slotted opening 49 in the member 43. The outer end of the T-bar 46 has a member 50 secured thereto and a member 51 extending outwardly from the member 50 in substantial alignment with the T-bar. The outer end of the T-bar is supported from the sub-frame member 22 by means of a hanger 52 secured to the member 51 and extending through an opening 53 in the member 22. The hanger 52 has its free end threaded and secured within the subassembly member 22 by means of. the nuts 54. The lower T-bar 47 is likewise mountedon the sub-frame member 43. The T-bar 47 is preferably secured in fixed relation to the member 43 as by bolts or welding and has no outer support, since the vines must pass freely between the upper and lower secondary rolls at the outer ends thereof.

Mounted on each T-bar 46 and 47 and spaced longitudinally thereof are a plurality of platelike members 45. The member 47 has the plates thereof in substantial alignment with the similar plates on the member 46, excepting that the plate 45 at the outer end of the member 47 is in substantial alignment with the plate 50 of the member 46. Each of the plates 45 and 56 have triangularly arranged openings therethrough in which are mounted the shafts 44 of the rollers 42a, 42b, and 42c, said rollers being sectional and disposed between the plates 45. As shown in Figures 6 and 9 of the drawings, the plates 45 of the respective upper and lower T-bars 46 and 47 are reversed so that the rubber cover 46 at the opposing faces of the rolls. is supported by two of the rollers 42a and 42b and the vertical faces of the secondary rolls opposing. the primary roll are supported by two of the rollers 42b and 42c. Adjacent each end of the T-bars 46 and 47 is mounted a tubular member 56 secured to the respective adjacent plates 45 and 56. The rear rollers 41 of the secondary roll assembly are mounted on shafts 57 journaled at each end in. roller bearings mounted in one end of a hanger 58 Whose opposite end is adjustably mounted in the member 56 at each end of the T-bars 46 and 47. The T-bar 47 of the lower secondary roll has a vertically disposed sleeve 59 secured to the member 56 at the outer end thereof for support of a rear conveyor drag rod as hereinafter set forth.

The drive for the primary and secondary rolls as shown in Figures 4 and 8 comprises the shaft 60 of transmission unit 26 having a chain sprocket 61 thereon, chain sprocket 62 mounted on shaft 34 of the primary roll, chain sprocket 63 and spur gear 64mounted on the shaft 57 of the upper secondary roll, the spur gear 65 mounted on shaft 57 of the lower secondary roll and the chain 66 trained about said sprockets 61, 62 and 63. Slack in chain 66 resulting from normal wear or adjustments of the primary roll 35 or upper secondary roll 46 may be taken up by the idler sprocket 67 adjustably mounted on the sub-structure member 31 by means of bearing bracket 68 secured to member 31 by any suitable means such as bolts 69 engaged in slotted holes formed in member 31.

The cluster of rolls provides a vertical pass between the rear face of the primary roll and the front. face of the lower secondary roll in which the vine with attached fruit is lifted, the lifting progressing, as here inafter more fully described, from near the root end of the vine toward the free end because of the transverse inclination of the rolls. A horizontal pass for the vines is provided between the confronting faces of the two secondary rolls, so that after the vines are lifted they have a relative rearward movement between the secondary rolls. As this change of direction will take place more readily for the thin vine than it will for the elongated cucumber, it is largely through this '7 that the stem is pulled at right angles to the fruit and the cucumber detached, as hereinafter more fully explained.

Vine shaking and conveying mechanism Mounted on the harvester rearwardly of the bottom secondary roll and immediately adjacent thereto for receiving the cucumber vines passing between the secondary rolls is a vine shaking and straightening device mounted above a transversely moving rear conveyor. The vine shaking device is comprised of a series of parallel spiral or helical elements 70 mounted to rotate eccentrically of their axes and extending in a fore-andaft direction. These elements have straight eccentric ends which, as shown in Figure 11, are carried in bearing 71 and 71a on the side members of the rear conveyor, as shown in Figures 9 and 11 to 16.

The rear conveyor indicated generally by reference character '7 3 includes side members 74 connected at their outer ends by the conveyor roll 75 whose shaft 76 is journaled in adjustable pillow blocks 77 mounted on top flange of members 74. The bottom flange of the members 74, beneath the pillow blocks, is notched at 78 to receive the conveyor drag rod 79 disposed between the member 74 and the ground. This drag rod, as shown in Figures 7 and 9, has an inner angular portion 80 provided with a depending flange portion 81 engaged within member 59 secured to T-bar member 47 of the lower secondary roll. The inner ends of the bottom conveyor 73 are connected by the driving roll 82 mounted on shaft 83 journaled in the members 84 secured to the conveyor side member 74. The inner end of conveyor 73 is suspended from the sub-structure member 31 by hanger members 85 and 85a, Figures 6 and 12, connected to the members 74 and to the member 31. A conveyor belt 86 is trained over conveyor rolls 75 and 82. The upper surface of belt 86 intermediate the rolls 75 and 82 is supported on rolls 87 journaled in bearings 88 mounted on the members 74. The under side of belt 86 engages rolls 89 journaled in bearings 90 mounted on the members 74.

The relation of the vine shaking spirals 70 to the rear conveyor 73 is best shown in Figures 2, 11, 12 and 13 of the drawings. In Figure 11, showing the intermediate portion of the conveyor broken away, the spirals 70 are spaced inwardly from the lower end of conveyor 73 and spaced at intervals crosswise above the conveyor a sufiicient distance to receive and shake the maximum expected length of the cucumber vine during the growing season. As above indicated, the eccentric straight ends of the spirals are mounted in bearings 71 and 71a. Bearings 71 are secured to a supporting member 91 attached to the adjacent conveyor channel 74. Bearings 71a are secured to bracket 92 attached to the adjacent conveyor channel 74. The end portion 93 of spiral 70 terminates within its associated bearing 71 and spiral end portion 94 extends through bearing 71a. The extended portions 94 have driving chain sprockets 95 mounted thereon. Spiral 70a is similar in all respect to spirals 70 excepting it has a helical gear 96 mounted on the straight end portion in front of its bearing 71a, this gear driving shaft 132 to be hereinafter described.

The spirals are driven in unison by gear 97 mounted on conveyor shaft 83 acting through gears 98 and 99 to drive chain sprocket 100. A chain 101 is trained over sprocket 100 and spiral sprockets 95. Above chain 101 and adjacent sprocket 100 is an idler sprocket 223 maintaining chain 101 in contact with sprockets 95. Beneath chain 101 and between the sprockets 95 are idler sprockets 102 supported on shafts 103 journaled in bearing brackets 104 secured to the adjacent conveyor channel 74. The gears 98 and 99 are mounted on shafts journaled in a U-shaped bracket 105 secured to the adjacent conveyor channel 74. The bracket 105 is comprised of an inner wall 106 adjacent channel 74, an outer wall 107 and a connecting bottom wall 108 extending to the web of channel 74 and connected thereto. Disposed between the walls 106 and 107 is an L-shaped member to wall 107 and an arm 110 connected to the wall 107. Bearing members 111 and 112 are mounted on walls 106 and 107. The shaft 113 of gear '98 is journaled in members 109 and 112, and the shaft 114 of gear 99 and sprocket 100 is journaled in bearing members 111 and 112. A guard 222 is shown in Figure 9 and by dotted lines on Figure 12, to carry the vines from rolls 117 over chain 101. Such guard may be mounted on the top flange of conveyor channel 74 and connected to the conveyor hanger member 85.

As best shown in Figures 9 and 11 to 15 the cucumber vines are carried onto and away from the shaker spirals 70 by rollers 116 and 117 extending longitudinally of the conveyor. The rollers 116 have shafts journaled in bearings 118 mounted on bracket 119 secured to the outer end of conveyor channel 74. At the inner end of the conveyor the shafts 115 are journaled in bearing 120 mounted on bracket 121 secured to the end of the conveyor channel 74. The bracket 121 comprises a bottom plate 122 extending inwardly beneath channel 74 and secured thereto by members 123. Adjacent the outer end of plate 122 is an upwardly-extending plate 124 having a boss 125 thereon, both bored and having a bushing to receive shaft 126. Plate 124 is reinforced by plate 127 secured thereto and to plate 122. Intermediate the ends of plate 122 is an upwardly-extending member 128 having bearing 120 mounted thereon and both bored to receive shafts 115. Shafts 115 extend through member 128 and have gears 129 mounted thereon meshing with gear 130 disposed between plate 124 and member 128 and mounted on shaft 126. At the outer end of shaft 126 is mounted pulley 131 which drives the rolls 116.

The rolls 117 at the rear side of the vine shaker carry the vines away from the shaker spirals 70 and deposit the vines upon the ground. These rolls are in sections disposed between the vine shaker spirals 70 and are provided with a common shaft 132 journaled in bearings 133 mounted on brackets 92. At the bracket 92a the bearings 133a are spaced and a helical gear 134 mounted on shaft 132. Gear 134 meshes with the adjacent gear 96 mounted on the adjacent spiral 70a and the shaft 132 is driven therefrom.

When the vines pass from between the upper and lower secondary rolls, they are transferred by rolls 116 to the spirals into the convolutions of which the vines fall and by the operation of which they are straightened out, and gently pulled as they are conveyed by the screw action of the spirals toward the rear of the machine. Since the spirals revolve eccentrically about their axes, the vines are also raised and lowered to shake out cucumbers which have been detached but are entangled with the vines and leaves.

Conveying and collecting mechanism As will hereinafter become more apparent, some of the cucumbers which are picked move rearwardly with the vines, while others are carried forwardly over the top of the primary roll. Consequently the machine embodies a second or front conveyor substantially parallel with the rear one.

Forwardly of the primary roll 35 and extending transversely of the harvester is a front conveyor for receiving cucumbers separated from the vines and ejected forwardly of the primary roll. As best shown in Figures 1, 3 and 6, this conveyor comprises spaced side channels 135 and 136 having mounted at their outer ends adjustable bearings 137 within which is journaled the shaft 138 having the roll 139 thereon and disposed between the channels. At the opposite or inner ends of the channels are mounted the bearings 140 within which is journaled the shaft 141 having the roll 142 thereon. An endless conveyor belt 143 is threaded over rolls 139 and 142 and is supported intermediate its ends upon the rollers 144 journaled in suitable bearings 145 mounted on the channels 135 and 136. The channels are adjustably suspended from the sub-frame members 22 and 31 by means of the hanger rods 146 and 147 secured to channels 135 and 136. One end of the shaft 141 for the conveyor belt supporting roller 142 extends through its bearing 140 and has mounted on such extension a sprocket 148 for driving the conveyor belt 143.

At one side of the harvester and opposite the root line of the vines being processed by the harvester is mounted a side conveyor extending longitudinally of the harvester and onto which the aforementioned front and rear conveyors discharge their contents. The side conveyor, as best shown in Figures 1, 3 and 19, comprises longitudinally-extending side members such as the channels 149 suspended from the sub-structure member 32 by means of the hanger 150 connected to the sub-structure member by any suitable means such as the bolts 151. At the forward end of the conveyor and between the channels 149 is mounted the roller 152 upon shaft 153 journaled in suitable bearings preferably adjustably mounted on the conveyor. At the rearward end of the conveyor is mounted a roller 154 having a shaft 155 journaled in suitable bearings 156 secured to the ends of the conveyor frame members 149. A continuous belt member 157 is mounted on the rollers 152 and 154. At the rear end of the conveyor, adjacent belt roller 154, is mounted a chute 158 which receives the cucumbers from the conveyor belt 157 and discharges them onto the adjacent vertical conveyor. This chute comprises side portions 159 at each side of the conveyor belt and an inclined bottom portion 160 terminating in a flexible member 161. The chute is mounted upon the conveyor by means of suitable brace members such as 162 at each side of the conveyor and adjustably connected to a frame member 163 secured to the bottom of the chute. Preferably a vertically-extending guide plate 164 is mounted at the sides of the conveyor belt to retain the cucumbers as they move toward the chute. The belt is driven through the roller by means of an extension of one side of the roller shaft 155 upon which is mounted the chain driving sprocket 165 and at the opposite end of the shaft by means of the pulley 166.

Adjacent the end of the rear conveyor and spaced inwardly therefrom is a suitable hopper 167 for receiving the cucumbers from the side conveyor. This hopper may be of any suitable design and as shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings is substantially rectangular having a sloping bottom 168 which may be supported from any suitable portion of the tractor structure such as the rear axle 169 of the tractor by means of the substantially triangularly-shaped braces 170, 171 and 172 having the apex thereof resting on the rear axle and secured thereto by any suitable means. In the rear wall 173 of the hopper is mounted a suitable door for removing the cucumbers therefrom. The hopper may also be suitably braced such as by the members 174 extending upwardly from a suitable portion of the tractor structure and connected at their upper ends by means of the transversely-disposed member 175 secured to the members 174 and connected with the top of the hopper. At one side of the hopper 167 and disposed transversely of the end of the chute 158 of the side conveyor is a vertical conveyor frame comprised of the side members 176 supported from the brace member 175 extending outwardly across the hopper. At each end of the con veyor frame are mounted the rollers 177 over which is trained a suitable conveyor belt 178 having the buckets 179 mounted thereon, the buckets being so rotated as to receive the cucumbers from the side conveyor chute 158 and to discharge them into a suitable chute 180 which conveys them to the hopper 167. At the bottom asoass'o of the conveyor is preferably mounted a suitable sheet 10 metal guard 181 to protect the buckets at the bottoril of the conveyor. The conveyor belt is driven by a vertical shaft 182 mounted at one side of the conveyor frame by means of the brackets 183. The upper end of the shaft 182 is connected with the shaft 184 on the upper roller 177 by any suitable means such as a pair of miter gears 185, and the shaft 186 of lower roller 177 is similarly connected so that both the rolls 177 are driven. The vertical shaft 182 is powered by a pulley 187 mounted on the extension of the shaft 186 of roller 177 and a similar pulley 166 mounted on the shaft of the end conveyor. The pulleys 166 and 187 are driven by suitable belt 188 trained over them and preferably a suitable belt tensioning member such as 189 is connected to the belt between the pulleys and may be suspended from the shaft 155 of the side conveyor by means of any suitable arm such as 190.

Driving mechanism In order to power the various conveyors and the primary and secondary rollers from the engine of the tractor, a gear box 191 may be mounted on the tractor frame structure such as the members 4, Figure 4. Within the gear box is a driving gear 192 mounted on the shaft 193 which extends outwardly from the gear box through a suitable bearing 194 and supported upon a suitable bracket 195. A sheave such as the two groove V-belt sheaves 196 is mounted on the shaft 195 and connected by belt 197 with a similar pulley 196 on the tractor engine shaft 193. A driven gear 198 on shaft 199 is mounted within the gear box. An extension of shaft 199 from one side of the gear box is connected by means'of a universal joint 290 to a splined telescoping shaft 201 having at its opposite end a second universal joint 202 connected with the shaft 203 of the transmission unit 20. A driving shaft 60 extends from the unit 20 and is journaled adjacent its outer end in bearing 204 mounted on the sub-frame member 19. The shaft 60 extends through bearing 204 and has a pulley 205 mounted on said extension. Pulley 205 is connected by belt 206 with pulley 131 on shaft 126 of the vine shaking device of Figure 11. Mounted on shaft 60, intermediate the ends thereof, is worm 207 and sprocket 61. Worm 207 meshes with worm gear 208 mounted on shaft 289 journaled in pillow blocks 210 mounted on sub-frame member 31. The sprocket 61 of shaft 209 drives the primary and secondary rolls as in Figure 8. Sprocket 211 is connected by a suitable chain 212 with sprocket 148 on the shaft 141 of the front conveyor, Figure 3. Sprocket 214 of shaft 209 is connected by chain 215 with sprocket 216 of shaft 83 at the forward end of the rear conveyor. The side conveyor 149 is driven from sprocket 217 through chain 218 and sprocket of shaft 155 on the conveyor. Sprocket 217 is mounted on shaft 219 journaled at its opposite ends on substructure members 31 and 32. Shaft 219 is driven through a pair of miter gears 220 and 221 mounted respectively on shafts 209 and 219.

As an aid to better understanding of the operation of the harvester, reference is made to Figure 20 of the draw ings showing quite schematically a :preferred method of growing the cucumber vines in a field, and the manner of using the harvester in a field so planted. As shown therein the vines are planted in spaced rows longitudinally of the field and trained to grow transversely of the field. One half the rows of vines are trained to grow in one direction, and the remaining half in the opposite direction. After the vines have started to produce cucumbers of the desired size, the harvester is moved longitudinally of the rows of vines with the tractor wheels straddling the row of vines and the sub-structure suitably inclined so that the open end of the picking roll cluster assembly is disposed adjacent the ground and spaced about 4 inches from the root line. The wheel 29 at the side of the substructure frame when engaged with the ground supports the picking roll assembly of the harvester in picking positravel in a corresponding position to the next row of vines, and the wheels do not pass over the vines.

General operation The harvester moves longitudinally of the vine rows at a speed of about 2 /2 miles per hour with the primary roll spaced from about /2 to 2 inches above the ground.

The bottom secondary roll is spaced about /2 inch above the ground ground and the spacing between the secondary rolls where the vines enter between them is preferably between inch to 1% inches. The spacing between the adjacent faces of the primary roll and bottom secondary roll varies with the minimum sizes of cucumbers to be picked and will be A; inch or greater. To provide for these adjustments the primary roll 35 is suspended from the sub-structure members 22 and 31 by means of the threaded hanger members 36 extending through slotted openings 38 in the sub-structure members. The upper secondary roll 40 is suspended from sub-structure member 43 by means of the bolts 48 extending through the roll T-bar 46 and slotted opening 49 in the sub-structure member 43. The spacing between the rolls, as hereinbefore discussed, is less when the vines are young or dry than when older or wet with dew or rain.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 6 of the drawings, as the harvester moves longitudinally of the row of vines the primary and lower secondary rolls are rotating in opposite directions so that their opposing faces are moving upwardly with relation to the ground. As the primary roll 35 advances towards the vines, it presses them towards the ground so as to spring up behind the roll when released. The lower secondary roll 40 is advancing towards the released vines and the vines and leaves are caught between the opposed upwardly-moving faces of the primary and lower secondary roll. These rolls being transversely from the open end of the cluster, progressively lift the entire length of the vine from the ground and pass it upwardly between their opposing faces. The upper secondary roll 40 is rotating in a direction opposite to that of the lower secondary roll so that the upwardlymoving vine upon moving free of the primary roll is engaged in the space below the upper secondary roll and the top of the lower primary roll to be moved relatively in a rearward direction.

The natural habit of growth of the cucumber vine is for the stem to grow upward from the ground from four to eight inches and then turn over and grow along the ground. The leaves which have fairly long stems grow upwardly from the vine towards the light and the cucumbers grow outwardly along the ground from the vine upon short stems so as to be disposed below and somewhat hidden by the leaves. As a consequence the leaves are first engaged by the opposing faces of the primary and lower secondary rolls in lifting the vine from the ground. As the vine is lifted the cucumbers tend to hang down, and it is in such stem upward position that they are engaged between the rolls. The vine and its leaves are engaged between the opposing faces of the upper and lower secondary rolls and move rearwardly of the harvester before cucumbers of harvesting size have cleared engagement between the opposing faces of the primary and lower secondary roll. Then the cucumber may be still' held and be moving vertically upward while the vine is being pulled horizontally to the rear so that the cucumber stem is pulled sharply in a direction transversely of the axes of movement of the cucumber and severs the stem from the cucumber. Cucumbers of different diameters compress the rollsurfaces to different extents, but the roll surfaces are resilient enough to accommodate all usable sizes. After the cucumber is detached from the vine and passes from between the primary and lower secondary roll it may move forwardly of the primary roll to fall onto the front conveyor 143, or be carried between the secondary rolls by the following vines. Very small cucumber sets and blossoms are not disturbed or impaired by this operation and remain attached to the vine. Over-size cucumbers will be picked to avoid their being left on the vine, and if too large, may be broken in the picking operation so as to avoid their being used.

The driving gear is so arranged that the passing of the vines between the secondary rolls rearwardly of the moving harvester is at a rate substantially equal to the forward movement of the harvester so that its position relative to the ground changes very little and the vine is not pulled out of the ground during the foregoing operation, nor do the vines tend to seriously twist during passage between the secondary rolls. As the vines pass from between the secondary rolls they fall upon the rolls 116 which preferably have a surface speed slightly greater than that of the harvester so that the vines are advanced on to the shaker. Here the vines are engaged by the convolutions of the rotating spiral members 70 which extend longitudinally of the path of travel of the tractor, and their direction of rotation is such as to move the vines rearwardly of the tractor with a screw-like action. These spiral members 70 having their ends eccentrically mounted relative to the center line of the member impart a tossing or vertically undulating movement to the vines passing over them and thus separate the vines, tending to straighten them lengthwise and serving to dislodge entangled picked cucumbers. Any cucumbers severed from the vines and carried with them to the shaker table fall free of the vines and drop onto the transverse rear conveyor disposed beneath the table. At the rear side of the shaker table the vines pass from the table over roll 117 and guard, Figure 9, so as to be deposited upon the ground in a generally orderly position for the next picking and in good growing condition.

As best shown in Figures 1, 3 and 6 the cucumbers are collected and deposited in a suitable receptacle or hopper 167 at the rear of the harvester. Many of the cucumbers after being severed from the vine pass over primary roll 35 and are deposited upon front conveyor 143 moving transversely of the harvester. The remaining cucumbers fall upon the succeeding vines and are carried through the secondary rolls 40 on to the shaker spirals 70. The shaking action imparted to the vines cause the severed cucumbers thereon to fall through the spirals 70 and onto the rear conveyor 86 moving in the same direction as front conveyor 143. The cucumbers are discharged from these conveyors 86 and 143 upon a side conveyor or belt 157 extending longitudinally of the harvester and moving rearwardly thereof. As shown in Figure 19, the accumulated cucumbers are retained on conveyor belt 157 by guards 164 until they pass off the belt into chute 158 and are discharged into the elevator boots 179. A flexible member 161 secured to chute 158 overlaps the rising boots 179 to direct the cucumbers into the boot. The boots 179 discharge their contents into chute 180 from which they pass into hopper 173'.

A modified form of primary roll is shown in Figure 21 of the drawings wherein the roll body 224- is substantially elliptical and is suspended from sub-frame members 22 and 31 by hangers 36a. The body portion 224 is mounted on a suitable belt 225 trained over rolls 226, 227 and 228. These rolls may be supported by a T-bar 229 and hanger 230 similar to that described in detail for secondary rolls 40. With such type of construction a softer roll surface may be provided so that the smallest and largest cucumber may be accommodated without bruising. This modified form of primary roll may be used with the present secondary rolls 40 as shown;

The presently preferred form of the invention has been shown and described. Many modifications in details of construction will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and may be adopted without departing from the invention disclosed. It is to be understood, therefore, that the details of construction hereinbefore shown and described were for purposes of illustration and not limitation except as made necessary by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A method of mechanically picking cucumbers from vines growing in a row and having rooted ends and free ends, said method comprising lifting each vine from near its rooted end progressively towards its free end so that the cucumbers growing on said lifted vine depend from said vine; imparting relative movement to said lifted vine and its depending cucumbers to sever cucumbers from said lifted vine; and returning the lifted vine to the ground in condition for further growth and production of cucumbers.

2. A method of mechanically picking cucumbers from vines growing in a row and having rooted ends and free ends, said method comprising lifting each vine from near its rooted end progressively towards its free end so that the cucumbers growing on each vine depend from said vine; imparting relative movement to said lifted vine and its depending cucumbers to sever cucumbers from said lifted vine; shaking each of said vines to dislodge cucumbers entangled therein; and returning the lifted vine to the ground in condition for further growth and production of cucumbers.

3. A method of mechanically picking cucumbers from vines growing in a row and having rooted ends and free ends, said method comprising lifting each vine from near its rooted end progressively towards its free end so that the cucumbers growing on said lifted vine depend from said vine; imparting relative movement to said lifted vine and its depending cucumbers to sever cucumbers from said lifted vine; collecting the severed cucumbers; and returning the lifted vine to the ground in condition for further growth and production of cucumbers.

4. A method of mechanically picking cucumbers from vines growing in a row and having rooted ends and free ends, said method comprising lifting each vine from near its rooted end progressively towards its free end so that the cucumbers growing on said lifted vine depend from said vine; imparting relative movement to said lifted vine and its depending cucumbers to sever cucumbers from said lifted vine; shaking each of said vines to dislodge cucumbers entangled therein; collecting the severed cucumbers; and returning the lifted vine to the ground in contition for further growth and production of cucumbers.

5. The method of mechanically picking maturing cucumbers from growing vines during the growing season, comprising the steps of training the vines to grow along the ground at substantially right angles to the length of the row; raising the growing end of each vine in a row by embracing opposite sides of the leaves while retaining the leaf stems thereof in substantially vertical position, thereby causing the cucumbers growing thereon to depend below the vines; imparting continuing vertical movement to the depending cucumbers above a pre-selected size while imparting relative movement between the vine and the remaining cucumbers to sever the latter from the vine; and then returning the vine to the ground in growing position for further production of cucumbers.

6. The method as described in claim wherein the vines before being returned to the ground are shaken to separate severed cucumbers entangled therein.

7. The method of picking maturing cucumbers mechanically from growing vines having free ends and rooted ends during the growing season, said method comprising the steps of training the vines to grow trans- I versely to the length of the rows; sequentially raising the growing vines in a row progressively from adjacent the rooted ends outwardly towards the free ends by imposing a vertical force at each side of the upstanding leaf stems of the vine to cause the cucumbers to depend on their stems below the vine; resiliently engaging and imparting spaced parallel vertical forces to opposite sides of the depending cucumbers while moving the vertically adjacent portion of the vine transversely of the direction of movement of the cucumbers to sever the latter from their stem; collecting the severed cucumbers; and then depositing the vine upon the ground for further growing.

8. The method of mechanically harvesting maturing cucumbers from growing vines throughout the growing season comprising the steps of training the vines to grow transversely to the length of the row; sequentially raising the growing vines in a row progressively from adjacent their rooted ends to the outer ends thereof causing the maturing cucumbers to depend therefrom; resiliently engaging and imparting spaced parallel vertical forces to opposite sides of the depending cucumbers while simultaneously imparting transverse movement to the vine portions above the cucumbers to sever the cucumbers from their stems; collecting the severed cucumbers before they fall to the ground; and returning the vines to the ground in condition for further growth.

9. A method of mechanically picking cucumbers from vines growing in a row and having rooted ends and free ends, said method comprising arranging the free end of each of the vines in such manner that the vines extend substantially normal to the row; lifting each vine from near its rooted end progressively towards its free end so that the cucumbers growing on said lifted vine depend from said vine; imparting relative movement to said lifted vine and its depending cucumbers to sever cucumbers from said lifted vine; and returning the lifted vine to the ground in condition for further growth and production of cucumbers.

10. A method of mechanically picking cucumbers from vines growing in a row and having rooted ends and free ends, said method comprising arranging the free end of each of the vines in such manner that the vines extend substantially normal to the row; lifting each vine from near its rooted end progressively towards its free end so that the cucumbers growing on said lifted vine depend vine and its depending cucumbers to sever cucumbers from said vine; imparting relative movement to said lifted from said lifted vine; shaking each of said vines to dislodge cucumbers entangled therein; and returning the lifted vine to the ground in condition for further growth and production of cucumbers.

11. A method of mechanically picking cucumbers from vines growing in a row and having rooted ends and free ends, said method comprising arranging the free end of each of the vines in such manner that the vines extend substantially normal to the row; lifting each vine from near its rooted end progressively towards its free end so that the cucumbers growing on said lifted vine depend from said vine; imparting relative movement to said lifted vine and its depending cucumbers to sever cucumbers from said lifted vine; collecting the severed cucumbers; and returning the lifted vine to the ground in condition for further growth and production of cucumbers.

12. A method of mechanically picking cucumbers from vines growing in a row and having rooted ends and free ends, said method comprising arranging the free end of each of the vines in such manner that the vines extend substantially normal to the row; lifting each vine from near its rooted end progressively towards its free end so that the cucumbers growing on said lifted vine depend therefrom; imparting relative movement to said lifted vine and its depending cucumbers to sever cucumbers from said lifted vine; shaking each of said vines to dislodge cucumbers entangled therein; collecting the severed cucumbers; and returning the lifted vine to the ground in condition for further growth and production of cucumbers.

13. A method of mechanically picking cucumbers from vines growing in a row and having rooted ends and free ends, said method comprising arranging the free end of each vine in such manner that the vines extend substantially normal to the row; lifting each vine from near its rooted end progressively towards its free end so that the cucumbers growing on said lifted vine depend therefrom; holding said depending cucumbers while simultaneously imparting lateral movement to said lifted vine to sever the cucumbers from said lifted vine; collecting the severed cucumbers; and returning said lifted vine 16 to the ground in condition for further growth and production of cucumbers. 14. A method of mechanically picking cucumbers from vines growing in a row and having free ends and rooted ends, said method comprising lifting the free end of each vine so that cucumbers growing thereon depend from said lifted vine; imparting relative movement to said lifted vine and cucumbers depending therefrom to sever cucumbers from said lifted vine; and returning said lifted vine to the ground in condition for further growth and production of cucumbers.

No references cited. 

